Smoke alarms- when are they necessary?

[jon2516]

Can anyone enlighten me on the law regarding smoke alarms?
I have been informed that if a flat is let out then the alarms must be wired into the mains?

Any help appreciated

[property mongrel]

Where did you get this information from?

I installed 2 alarms in a new let 1 bed flat in March 2010, both battery operated, noted on inventory new batteries in both. These were placed after advice from the local authority building inspector who was there on another matter.

pm

[baldelectrician]

From 3. 9.07 all rented property must meet the Repairing Standard. As part of the new Repairing Standard, landlords must make sure that the property they rent out has “satisfactory provision for detecting and giving warning of fires.”

To meet the standard there has to be at least one working smoke alarm on each floor of a property. Any smoke alarms installed from 3.9.07 must be mains wired. Existing smoke alarms can be either mains powered or battery powered. If broken smoke alarms are replaced after 3.9.07 they must be mains wired.

In the case of HMO property where there is a more stringent smoke alarm requirement, this part of the Repairing Standard will only be met when the HMO smoke alarm conditions are met.

You may need a Building Warrant to fit a hard wired smoke alarm. Contact our Building Standards department.



LINK HERE (http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/Housing/Private_tenants_and_home_owners/Letwise/Frequently_Asked_Questions/CEC_safety,_inspections,_antisocial_behaviour)

[leaseholder001]

From 3. 9.07 all rented property must meet the Repairing Standard. As part of the new Repairing Standard, landlords must make sure that the property they rent out has “satisfactory provision for detecting and giving warning of fires.”

To meet the standard there has to be at least one working smoke alarm on each floor of a property. Any smoke alarms installed from 3.9.07 must be mains wired. Existing smoke alarms can be either mains powered or battery powered. If broken smoke alarms are replaced after 3.9.07 they must be mains wired.

In the case of HMO property where there is a more stringent smoke alarm requirement, this part of the Repairing Standard will only be met when the HMO smoke alarm conditions are met.

You may need a Building Warrant to fit a hard wired smoke alarm. Contact our Building Standards department.



LINK HERE (http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/Housing/Private_tenants_and_home_owners/Letwise/Frequently_Asked_Questions/CEC_safety,_inspections,_antisocial_behaviour)

I think this just applies in Scotland. See here (http://www.cml.org.uk/cml/policy/issues/2566)

[tom999]

Mains wired smoke alarms are not required for non-HMO properties in England and Wales; battery operated smoke alarms are sufficient.

Ideally get a smoke alarm (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/InYourHome/FireSafety/DG_071751) to British Standard 5446, Part 1 (BS 5446-1) and also carries the British Standard Kitemark.

[leaseholder001]

Mains wired smoke alarms are not required for non-HMO properties in England and Wales; battery operated smoke alarms are sufficient.

Ideally get a smoke alarm (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/InYourHome/FireSafety/DG_071751) to British Standard 5446, Part 1 (BS 5446-1) and also carries the British Standard Kitemark.

Hi tom999,

Do you know if there are any laws in regard to HMO's?

I can think of 3 different situations:

1) A flat in a block of say 5 leasehold flats with the flat sublet to a single family
2) The same as above but with the leaseholder living in the flat
3) A normal 3 bed semi-detached house let to 3 unconnected people where they share everything except their bedroom.

[tom999]

Hi leaseholder001,

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) was introduced under the Housing Act 2004 and came into effect in 2006, for residential properties in England and Wales. Under this, Local Authorities (LA) can assess fire risk/safety and enforce improvements on HMO properties.

Housing Health and Safety Rating System - Guidance for Landlords and Property Related Professional (http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/150940.pdf), See page 51: "
• Need for suitable interconnected fire detection/alarm system/emergency; and
• Emergency lighting and sprinkler systems etc."

Different LA's have different rules. For example I know one LA who requires licensed HMO's to have a mains wired fire alarm system (LD2) and emergency lighting fitted to a certain BS (British Standard), and when the property is let, the alarm and lighting must be tested every 6 months to a BS.

To find out what applies in a specific scenario, best to contact LA, and they will offer a free inspection and/or advice.

[leaseholder001]

Hi tom999,

Thanks for the info.